What to Watch For: Sunday at the Northern Trust Open

Sunday, February 20, 2011

The Big FijianVijay Singh turns 48 on Tuesday, but he's not biding his time until he gets the call to join the Champions Tour. After dealing with a knee injury for two years, Singh is back in contention, only two shots off the lead as he tries to win his 35th PGA Tour event on Sunday.Singh's putting and short game saved him on Saturday -- 3-for-3 in bunker saves with 25 putts. For the week, Singh ranks third in putting, a good sign for someone who's tried every kind of putter and putting grip imaginable."I had one of the best putting rounds I've had for a long, long time," Singh said after carding a 4-under 67. "Didn't hit the ball like my score reflected, but I putted and I scored really well, like I did yesterday, too. My game is coming along, but my short game and my putts are paying off."Singh has been showing signs this season that his game is back on track. He tied for 20th at Torrey Pines, then he shot four rounds in the 60s for a T3 finish in Phoenix. Singh opened with 69-68 at Pebble Beach before fading on the weekend."I don't know what to expect right now," Singh said. "I'm really -- you know, really fired up for tomorrow. I know I have a good position. I'm in a good position to win tomorrow, so we'll see what happens." Top TrioSunday could be a huge day for Aaron Baddeley, Fred Couples and Kevin Na. Baddeley, who has a one-shot lead over Couples and Na, is trying to get his first win since the 2007 Phoenix Open. Baddeley would also join Dustin Johnson, Anthony Kim, Sean O'Hair, Hunter Mahan and Camilo Villegas as the only 20-somethings with three or more wins.Couples, 51, admits he's a Champions Tour player now, but he could further pad his resume for the World Golf Hall of Fame with a 16th PGA Tour win. Despite his bad back, Couples is averaging more than 296 yards off the tee and tied for third in greens hit in regulation.Na is still looking for his first win, and it couldn't come at a better time. His father is battling leukemia back in South Korea, and Na said he hopes his mother can take a trophy to him. The key for Na will be getting his approach shots close to the hole. Averaging only 257 yards off the tee, Na will be giving up more than 20 yards to Baddeley and almost 40 yards to Couples.(Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) Tweet